In 2011, Paradise Gallery introduced their 18" doll line, Tender Hearts Girls. The line consisted of five individual dolls, brunette Emma, African American Isabella, Hispanic Maria, Asian Olivia, and blonde Sophia.

The dolls could be bought in either a plain clothes version which came with a cute puppy pal pet poodle, or in a Girl Scouts Junior version.

OLIVIA, SOPHIA, MARIA, ISABELLA, AND EMMA

If the dolls' theme looks familiar, it's probably because Paradise Galleries also owned Adora dolls, who had its own Girl Scouts line with similar Scout uniforms. The dolls in fact use a very similar body mold for the lower part of their vinyl arms and legs, although Tender Hearts Girls are not articulated as Adora dolls are, and instead have partial vinyl limbs and a cloth body fitted with a wire armature, which allows them to stand and hold a pose.

There are three separate face molds used among the five dolls: Maria and Olivia share a face, and Sophia and Emma share a face, meanwhile Isabella has a unique mold. Most of the dolls have long, straight hair, with the exception of Isabella, who has wavy hair. The wigged hair is not quite the quality of American Girl dolls. When new, it is silky, though it falls out easily and seems to frizz and mat badly over time.

EMMA (WITH A NEW WIG) AND OLIVIA

The dolls are also not quite 18" tall, standing shorter than AG and similar dolls, and they have round, chubby cheeks and expressions that suggest they are a bit younger than American Girl dolls (who are supposed to be about ten years old). They have inset eyes with long, realistic eyelashes and nicely feathered brows. They have very detailed sculpted faces and features, which include (somewhat large) realistic ears that you can even tuck hair behind.

The dolls originally sold for about $50, so their overall quality is less than some. However, their clothing is extremely well made, in particular the Girls Scout uniforms whose insignia and badges are beautifully embroidered into the fabric. The later Adora Girl Scout dolls' uniforms seem to have taken a hit in comparison, as the insignia look to be of an iron-on or paint-on type.

TENDER HEARTS GIRL EMBROIDERED SASH VS ADORA PAINTED-ON SASH

And while the dolls are generally smaller than the standard 18" doll, they wear the same size and come dressed in standard 18" clothing, with the pant legs rolled up for a better fit.

And while universally around 17" tall, the dolls themselves seem to vary significantly in height and width, sometimes by as much as 1" to 2" from doll to doll. (The measurements below are for the smaller Tender Heart Girls.) Also, some have white cloth bodies, while others have flesh-toned cloth bodies. Tender Hearts Girls' heads are also a bit larger and rounder than some other 18" dolls, especially above the ears, so anyone thinking of re-wigging the dolls should keep this in mind. They can easily share shoes and clothing with American Girl dolls.

TENDER HEARTS GIRL OLIVIA AND AMERICAN GIRL MAG #4